Where there is argument,
there must be a verdict.
The public ledger of the Foundation's rulings — on origin stories, lineages, language, custom, food, ritual, and the misuse of the name. Each entry is sealed by the Council of Sages and carries the moral weight of the House.
Slow, public, final.
01
Submission
Anyone may submit a question, dispute, or alleged falsehood. Filed publicly with the originating evidence attached.
02
Open evidence
The Foundation calls for evidence on either side. Sixty days minimum. The full record is published.
03
Council review
The Council of Sages weighs the evidence against the canon. Hears testimony. Drafts a verdict.
04
Seal
The Ooni reviews and assents. The verdict is sealed and added to the canon. It stands until new evidence overturns it.
Sealed verdicts. Public record.
All verdicts →-
V·001
On the lineage of the Anago people of Benin and Togo. VERDICT — Anago, Itsha, and Idaisa are full kindred of the House of Oduduwa, descended from the same migrations out of Ile-Ife. Any narrative that detaches them is hereby flagged as historical disinformation.SEALED
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V·002
On the relationship between Candomblé (Brazil) and traditional Ifa. VERDICT — Candomblé preserves authentic Yoruba spiritual practice carried through the middle passage. Practitioners are kin. Variances in form do not constitute departure from root.SEALED
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V·003
On the use of Orisha imagery in commercial entertainment. VERDICT — The names and symbols of the Orisha may not be used in commercial entertainment without consultation with the Foundation and the consent of recognised priesthoods. Notice has been issued to three studios; reply due 30 June 2026.UNDER REVIEW
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V·004
On the translation of Ibi as "evil" in Western academic and religious texts. VERDICT — Ibi means misfortune, obstruction, or imbalance. It is not the moral category Western theology calls "evil." The proper term for moral evil in Yoruba is Ika. Mistranslation persists in many texts; correction is hereby published.SEALED
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V·005
On the Edo-Yoruba royal connection. VERDICT — The current Benin (Edo) royal house traces its dynasty to Oranmiyan, son of Oduduwa, c. 1180. Edo and Yoruba are kindred under the same root. The Foundation recognises the Oba of Benin as a brother house.SEALED
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V·006
On the Lucumí ritual language and its relationship to spoken Yoruba. VERDICT — Lucumí is a preserved liturgical register of Yoruba carried by the Cuban diaspora. It diverges from modern spoken Yoruba in pronunciation but retains substantial vocabulary and structure. Recognised as authentic Yoruba spiritual language.SEALED
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V·007
On the use of "Yoruba" as the principal ethnonym for the people. VERDICT — The Foundation recognises both "Yoruba" (the modern unifying ethnonym) and "Omo Oodua / Ọmọ Odùduwà" (the ancestral identifier). Both are sanctioned. Sub-group names — Egba, Ijebu, Oyo, Ekiti, Anago, Nago, Lucumí, Aku — remain valid as regional descriptors.SEALED
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V·008
On unverified "kingdoms" and invented royal lineages presented online. VERDICT — Multiple online claimants of titles — "Oba of [city]" — without documented installation by recognised authority are flagged as false claims. The Foundation maintains the Register of Verified Royal Houses; only entries on that register carry the Foundation's recognition.SEALED
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V·009
On the Foundation's posture toward the Yoruba religion vs. modernity. OPEN — Submissions are sought on whether and how the Foundation should formally distinguish between traditional Ifa practice (rooted lineage), revival practice (sincere modern adoption), and commercial-spiritual practice (extraction). Comment window open until 31 August 2026.CALL FOR EVIDENCE
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V·010
On AI training and the use of Yoruba language and lore in machine learning datasets. OPEN — The Foundation calls on operators of language models and image systems to consult before training on Yoruba religious, royal, and ancestral material. Drafting a Memorandum of Practice with input from the major operators. Comment window open.DRAFT
Bring it to the Council.
If there is a dispute over canon — an origin story, a lineage, a translation, a misuse — the Foundation hears it. The process is slow on purpose.
File a Submission →